Vol 4 Chapter 1 (1/2)
Chapter 1
When a long-awaited client arrived at the agency, I was having a fierce battle with Alice, and thus did not notice anyone enter
”You actually wished to bathethem to suffer the third-h I have long known that you are a cold, unjust person, I never thought that it was actually serious till this extent!”
Standing on her bed in the six tsubo room, Alice looked just like Nio as her luscious hair that was like black honey fluttered, while her skin so white that it looked sickly was slightly flushed in anger Teddy bears, dolphins, kittens, and large quantities of other dolls were collapsed on the sheets The reason that she was so agitated was just because I asked her if I should wash the dolls Though she is a self-proclaie ton of principles, actually, her personality is as her appearance suggests, that of a vexatious little girl
”Then what about the second and the first?”
If I seriously answer her coht continue to be terribly scolded, so I directly changed the topic
”The second- to endure is to answer questions by foolish people The cruelest thing would be to endure the fact that the foolish person is actually my assistant!”
”Alright, I’m sorry So that you won’t suffer anymore, I’ll just take the ice cream that Min-san made back”
”Why didn’t you say so earlier” Alice jumped down from the bed and ran towards me “You actually kept silent all this time, how despicable”
”Is this really okay? Min-san said ’Alice will happily dash down from the bed if you use ice cream as bait, and you can use that opportunity to take the dolls and the sheets’ It really turned out as she said”
”MMNNNNNNNN!”
Alice sat at the edge of the bed, shaking her legs repeatedly while gnashi+ng her teeth Taking that chance, I placed the cup containing the ice crea out a can of Dr Pepper by the way
”In any case, ood friends and the sheets are not dirty at all Look, they are as new as the moon when it was first born”
”It indeed appears to be so, but since it’s al”
”If you really don’t believe it, just sniff it and you’ll see”
I almost dropped the Dr Pepper that I was about to open onto the floor
”No…… Wait aabout?”
”You’re the one who said that they’re dirty, so you have the obligation to prove that they are dirty Hurry up and prove it!”
Alice stepped onbefore the sheets to prevent e teddy bear into my face
”S- Stop that!”
”Just say it, how does it smell like?”
I really couldn’t say so like ’It smells like Alice’ As I fell on aze met the sharp, wolf-like eyes above me
”What the heck are you doing?”
”—Yondaime?”
I i up As the speed when I raisedup was too fast, I accidentally toppled Alice, causing her to protest loudly, but I really didn’t have the time to care
”W- W- When did you arrive? When did you start watching us?”
I couldn’t help but kneel down in front of Yondai was clad in clothes for the summer— black, webbed vest on his upper torso that showed skin, and a pair of painted loose denim pants
”Probably from the time you started to sniff the sheets”
”I did not sniff the sheets!”
”Though I am not sure what you two are here for, I welcome you to help chase the fussy assistant before ain Two? I turned htly dyed hair s at me with his pearly teeth
”Even Hiro-san is here Y- You saw it as well?”
”Ahh— Yes”
With a wry smile on his face, Hiro-san walked to Yondai style as well, with a chili red T-shi+rt and a dazzling gold necklace on his neck that would ht
”It see fun, so we didn’t want to disturb you”
”If it seee places with me!”
”But isn’t that Narue is that! I have to worry about Alice’s baths, wash her clothes, feed her and so on I would have quit long ago if I could!
”Just sniffing it doesn’t reallymy clothes is a definite no Hiro, it’s the same for you!”
”Erm…… Alice, that isn’t so……”
Hiro-san approached the bed bydown by Alice
”I suggest you don’t let Narumi-kun sniff even the smell of yourself”
What is this guy talking about? Froaze that was fierce like that of a olf, and was narrowed so h my face Can we please not continue to discuss this topic?
”Why not? Narumi is already so slow that I cannot let him comprehend ords What I mean is that I wish to turn the words that I wish to speak of into data, uploading it into his brain after connecting a USB cable to his nostrils”
”No, think about it Aren’t the pajas that Alice is always in contact with?”
”Uh huh?”
”So aren’t the dolls like another part of Alice as well?”
”So what?”
”Hoill you feel if you let Narumi-kun sniff the smell of your skin directly?”
I was completely speechless, while Alice’s face underwent different shades of red, and had the vibrance of a red chili in the end
”Narumi! You shameless fellow!”
’The shameless one should be you!” And you only realized that after people explained it so clearly to you!?
When I retorted, I was immediately assaulted with numerous cans of Dr Pepper Unable to face the attack, I had no other choice but to hide behind Yondai supernatural reflexes, the wolf slammed all the empty cans aith only one hand
”Stop playing the fool Hiro, don’t start a lesson of morals and ethics at this time I am here for official business”
”Ahhh, that’s right, I alot”
Hiro-san answered while pressing on Alice’s shoulder with his hand…… Official business?
”It’s best if it is serious work!” Alice spoke in a furious tone Steam al that shaue out of my office!”
Why am I scolded to this extent……?
”That’s fine Yondaiht take up the whole summer vacation”
The steam suddenly disappeared fro black hair drooped on the sheets as well
”…… You wish to borrow Narumi? Why?”
”I spoke of this to you before this I accepted the job of doing promotion for an indie band”
Yondaime forcefully pushed me aside and walked into the bedroom to explain
”At the end of August, they will have a few continuous concerts in Tokyo”
”Ahh…… Would it be that band? I can’t remember the nairls”
I couldn’t help but interrupt
”See, Narumi-kun indeed knows of it as well” Hiro-san approachedthis band on the internet now”
I often saw the Mad Movie[1] that was released as a promotional video on the official website, but since I never heard of the original songs in the first place, it’s really nothing to boast of
”…… Are you referring to this?”
Alice’s fingersthe results of her search on one of the monitors that covered the walls As expected of the NEET detective who holds thein the internet sea in her weak hands, she’s absolutely unbeatable if she’s in an online state I think I watched the video played as well It was a pv that gave a deep ier was struuitar in the video
”I never thought that Yondaime would actually accept jobs in the entertain?”
”Stop talking as if I work because of my interests This is business”
Yondai the back of his head into the wall
”We can’t earn our livings just by being a delinquent It’ll be over if we don’t expand our business I’ve started a new co to use this as a stepping stone”
I couldn’t help but start to listen closely Yondai of the NEETs in this city, but his true identity is that of a true businessman
”The guys in our gang are coh when I a Hiro, but since the Gardening Club kid is Alice’s only assistant, I’d still have to ask”
”Well, I understand the reason that you’re borrowing Hiro-san for, but why are you using me as well?”
Hiro-san is really good at coping with girls If Yondaime wishes to promote the indie band by word, Hiro-san would be the prime candidate But what about me?
”I’ the internet and contact with DJs, but there aren’t any other people I know that are good in this”
”Oh, so that’s why you’re here?”
Indeed, I’h there is no match for Alice on the internet, the fact that she doesn’t have any enemies means that she doesn’t have any companions as well The only person left would be me
”Does thatthe whole summer break?”
”That’s the ist of it”
”Don’t joke with me, ill do the chores in my office then?”
Didn’t you just ask people to chase or kick me out of here?
”It isn’t like he wouldn’t come back Wouldn’t he still be your assistant when school starts?”
”Uuuu……”
It feels like Alice isn’t that quick-witted today, as her opponent kept getting the upper hand
”Why must you use both Hiro and Narumi? Is it not just an indie band? Even if there is not too much funds, don't they know any cheap event coordinators?”
”The event this ti that a veteran won’t barge in from the start, and let us handle all the promotions”
Hearing such forceful statements, Hiro-san and I couldn’t help but stare at Yondaihtly closed while his eyes were narrowed in a line as usual, it was like there were transparent fla all of us
”Why are you so certain that they will be a hit?” Alice asked with her brows furrohile shaking her head
”You’ll knohen you listen to the of a live concert rehearsal”
After saying that, Yondai from his pocket and tossed it to Alice As the sports skills of the girl was equal to zero, of course it’s impossible for her to catch it Thus, the tiny object ha onto a pile of dolls after that— it was a USB stick
”Barbarian! Why did you not just hand it to ed in the USB stick
It was not until that moment that day that I noticed the speakers and aency When the room was filled with pink noise that was like hot steae sound sources at the two sides of the walls covered with blackfeedback of the resonance between a Les Paul electric guitar and the Marshal amplifiers
A feeling as though one was beaten up byreally did exist
There were vibrations that felt as though they were going to gorge out one’s heart Unclearvoice dashed in a vast, endless wilderness A guitar riff that was cruel at times, and sweetly cuts one’s flesh and body at times
Thelike that
It was just after noon when Yondaiency The burning sun of the early sus
”Haven’t you planned an outdoor concert or the like? It see of summer”
Hiro-san turned around to ask Yondaiency backstairs
”Where can we plan them?”
”At the Hibiya theatre, perhaps?”
”Isn’t it a bit too late to reserve the Hibiya theatre?”
The Hibiya Outdoors Theatre is a sacred ground for outdoor concerts However, since it is only open to the public on weekends, the reservation schedule is so full that we can only use it next year if we book it now
”Hmmm, that’s a pity The band really is—“
Hiro-sanvoice
”Wish I could hear it outdoors…… It would be exhilarating”
I so i with our backs to the sun of real summer that has the color of fresh blood, it would probably be a whole three days before we could return to reality And I finally understood why Yondaime was so resolute about this as well
Besides, even Alice fell into a silence after listening to the recording of the rehearsal, agreeing to rent me out after that
The song is the real thing
”I will be responsible if it is not successful”
Yondais They were not words that one can easily speak of
After that, alked to the eency backstairs and started a tactical as tanks surrounding a decaying wooden stand Large a ra the surroundings to becohtly hot and blurry The su
”There is one other thing that I didn’t mention to Alice just now,” Yondaiht a whiff of dispute It’s very possible that conflicts will happen”
”Why?”
”The job was originally taken by other event coordinators, a rotten organization supported by a yakuza gang known as Yanagihara-kai As they were sloppy with their work, the head of the band broke the contract in a rage and brought the case to me”
Whoa! That wouldn’t just be a whiff of dispute, the thick smoke of battle could already be felt
”A the venues that we reserved, one of them can’t be used now It see for trouble”
”Is that really okay? The flames of battle are already lit”
”Though Yanagihara-kai isn’t getting involved personally, the situation is still rather unfavorable That’s why I’ you the request”
Which et involved in the most critical moment, is that so?
”If so, won’t telling Alice from the start be more appropriate?”
”If I really did that— disregard Hiro for the ely probable that she won’t let irl worries too much, after all”
Would she really be that worried? But since the yakuza is involved this tierous……
”I’m not really suited for a job like this as well, but it doesn’t seem like you’re worried about me”
”No one will be worried of you or have expectations of you A gigolo should just do as a gigolo does”
”Fine, fine Then I’ll just have to poke around for news at the clubs nearby as usual, right?”
”There will be no need for that You don’t need to go to the shops Just go look for any woman to find out information We aren’t clear which type of people knows about the band yet”
”Oi oi, you’re still at this level though there’s only twoto release an album as well?”
”Didn’t I tell you that I accepted the case recently? It can’t be helped!”
”Erm…… Then what about me?” I couldn’t speak up because of the rapid-fire conversation of the two, so I could only interrupt weakly Yondailared at me
”Go search for people si a web radio”
”See job……”
”Let’s talk about your payment before this…… Would a monthly salary be okay?”
”Huh…… Ah, it’s fine”
”As expected of Yondaime, you plan your finances really carefully As expected of a person from Kansai”
”It’s irrelevant to Kansai It’s just that the concept of money of you NEETs is too bad”
The others assume that Yondaime comes from a yakuza family, but it is said that his true identity before this was a successor of a prestigious fa chased out of the fa in his veins is still that of a businessman’s
After hearing the lucrative salary that Yondaih the two had long wandered out of the back alley, I still sat blankly on the large steel bucket with my head drooped for quite some time
”Sorry, sorry It’s a bit late for me to take your orders— Hmm?”
The kitchen backdoor opened, while the short-haired person wearing the cute expression of a deer and her sailor’s unifor with the steam that flowed out of the kitchen, her black apron fluttered as well
”Aren’t Hiro-san and Yondaime here?”
”Ahh, yes They said that they still have work to do, so they already left”
”NEETs have work?” That’s right, they have work though they’re obviously NEETs “In the end, Fujishi+h the summer break hasn’t officially started? Do you want to eat anything?”
”Don’t say that I’ht now”
”What’s wrong? Ah, I know You were given a huge scolding by Alice when you wanted to collect her dirty clothes just now, isn’t that right? I’ht me about it before this The back of Alice’s neck is especially weak You can just hug her from behind and blow on it, and use the chance to take off her paja?”
”Yes, yes……” That’s assu like that!
”Why is it that you seeeneral? It seems more serious than usual”
”Your stateeneral is redundant!”
”Yes, that’s right I’m sorry! It is the truth after all, so it’s fine even if I don’t say it” Hey! Isn’t that way of putting it way crueler!
”Well, that’s not it…… Ayaka, how much is your hourly salary at Hanamaru Ramen? Is it about the same as me?”
”Hah? What?”
ThatAyaka aside With a ponytail and a fierce expression on her face, she wore a gray tank top that showed her firm arms It was the owner of Hanamaru Ramen, Min-san
”850 yen Is other people’s wages any of your concern?”
”W- Why is it 150 yen more than mine?”
”Ehh? You actually have the nerve to ask for the reason? Don’t you remember how many bowls you broke? As I recall, didn’t you once spill a boith ramen in it? Will you only remember if I spill hot soup on your head?”
”No, no, no…… I’m sorry”
”Ah— So it’s because of Fujishi+ma-kun that the apron is so filthy The stain already seeped in and can’t be removed anymore”
In a daze, I stared at the apron on Ayaka, whose cheeks were puffed out The white logo with ‘Hanamaru Ramen’ printed on it was dyed the color of coffee, al black cloth As I recall, I spilled the soup about twice……
Sigh, it’s just 150 yen anyways, so it’s no big deal Besides, the daily salary that Yondai to pay me can almost hire five Ayakas and still have some money left It was for that reason that I was assailed by a strange sense of emptiness
However, thata large ga event coordination was too sloppy, causing the lead singer of the band to fly into a rage, firing the original event coordinator, sending the case directly to Yondaime on the way Yondai a fancy to their vigor So I believe the high salary unmatched with my identity should probably be a kind of investes how capable you are and pays you thatyou so much money, and that’s why you have to raise your capability and use it on work— the theory would be so like that
The said lifestyle of ‘daring to risk’ is one that I cannot coht not even have the rights to be a NEET
”By the way, did you wash the sheets and dolls for Alice?”
Min-san knocked onme out from my delusions
”Ah— Sorry As she flew in a rage just now, I had no other choice but to retreat temporarily”
”Do you have any self-consciousness? You have no use at all besides tending to Alice’s troublesome needs!”
So sorry for still having the nerve to be alive
”There’s no such thing! Fujishi+ma-kun is always useful each tie, because his stomach can stand the stench”
So sorry for actually accepting hourly salary as high as 700 yen…… Though I was already fired Being utterly shaency backstairs once more
Before having any expectations or being surprised because of Yondaime’s salary, I think it’s better to finish my oork first, because I am an assistant detective
When I held the railings, I suddenly thought of a critical question—
…… Is washi+ng clothes part of an assistant’s job?
When I arrived at the platforerous sounds ofbeing hit could be heard as well, with the sounds ofIs it Alice? I hurriedly ran up the stairs When I sao knee-high socks on slender feet poking out of the washi+ngfrantically, I couldn’t help butfell into confusion that ti off the poitch, directly pulling out the plug in the end so that the rabbed Alice’s waist, pulling her out from the tank
”Alice! Oi, Alice!”
When I pushed away the water-sodden, long, black hair, the face of Alice, as seeing stars, appeared
”Uu- Uuuuuuuuuuu…… The water…… The water……”
”It’s okay now, you can breathe!”
Alice finally stopped struggling after I wiped away the pink detergent on Alice’s cheeks and gently patted her back She forcefully huggedrepeatedly before my chest
”…… Th- This is- the largest crisis- inSahara desert, the euins that lost their home and the Middle East that is currently under air assault, all of the sorrows in the world that I am unable to save flashed past my mind in an instant”
”You should think of a way to cli of these! I never heard of anyone who drowned in their oashi+ng machine!”
”Please consider y to raise near to half of ht?”
And you’re actually saying that in a noble manner?
”Speaking of which, what on earth are you doing in the washi+ng machine?”
”Washi+ng my clothes, of course!”
Alice suddenly flung her hair to her back and sat down, starting to rock her body after pushi+ng me aside The water on her continued to drip on the surrounding pajamas, towels and sheets
”W- Who would allow a rogue like you…… T- To e the items that had contact with ely ie it by myself!”
You only realized that now? I always felt troubled about that!
”I really don’t want to see an accident like that happen every time, so it’s better if I handle the clothes Alice, it won’t do for you”
”What are you talking about, don’t look down on me I kno to operate a primitive machine like this as well!”
”You have no idea how to use it at all, even your height isn’t enough!”
Perhaps that was the reason she fell into the washi+ng h it’s rather unbelievable, I really cannot think of any other reason
”Plus, you can’t keep adding the fabric softener fro water
”Uuuuuu……”
Looking just like a drowned rat, Alice sat on the corridors with her whole face red while she flailed her hands in indignation
”E- Even so, how can you touch my clothes……”
”No, erm…… I won’t especially sniff if they have a smell or not”
”Well of course!”
Alice forcefully flungto pick up the clothes scattered on the floor
”Just let e your clothes?”
”I a to do so even if you did not say that Call Ayaka here for me!”
As the NEET detective who only had her sharp tongue left is not good at it, that would be Ayaka’s job When I stood up while sighing, Alice ran by the washi+ng machine with her face pale
”My Lyril!”
The teddy bear of oes out rolled by the washi+ng machine Alice immediately noticed that the stitches on its head were already loose when she picked it up, while one of the buttons that for Perhaps it was caused when she almost fell into the machine?
”Hurry up and fetch Yondaime, hurry!”
Nearly bursting into tears, Alice hugged her bear while shouting loudly
Disregarding the incident for the an from the next day
Though the band hasn’t released any albums, all of the part tih the internet answered ‘Yes, I know thereat network age
We had athe people who just want to look at pretty girls, dis the et of our request just like that
”These people will have a function in July, so we can request to perform with them”
”But they have a parent co them, so it’s somewhat difficult”
”You’re thinking of pocketing the profits alone again……”
”Well of course! It’s et all the profits”